You can store the tonic in a cupboard for long periods of time. No need to keep in the refrigerator. You can also use it mixed with olive oil for a salad dressing. Or a shot full on you stir fry.

**It is a good idea to wear gloves especially when handling the peppers as it is difficult to get the heat off of your hands!

*For sore throat, gargle a bit in the mouth and swallow.
*For an illness, such as a cold or flu, take about 2 droppers full or a Tablespoon every couple of hours.
*For daily immune support drink 2 droppers full/ 1Tablespoon every day. Build up tolerance to a shot glass full.
*Eat an orange, lemon, or lime slice after to ease the heat.

*****

Benefits

The super cleansing tonic is an antibiotic, destroying both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. It is also a potent anti-viral and anti-fungal/yeast formula, and will increase blood and lymph circulation to every part of the body. It is so effective that it is said to be the cure for colds and the flu, and is the herbal preparation of choice against Candida. This basic formula dates back to medieval Europe and the plagues.

Benefit of each Ingredient: (All Organic Of Course!!)

Garlic is a broad spectrum antibiotic. Unlike chemical antibiotics that kill off millions of friendly bacteria that your body needs, Garlic only targets the invading bacteria and even promotes and increases your healthy bacteria. Garlic is also a powerful anti-fungal and literally destroys any antigen, pathogen and any harmful or disease causing micro-organism.

Onion is Garlic’s next of kin and has similar but milder action. Together they are a tremendous fighting duo.

Horseradish is a potent herb for the sinus and lungs. It opens up the sinus passages and increases the circulation there, where most doctors agree, the common cold and influenza often starts.

Hot Peppers are the most powerful circulatory propellant known. It simply sends the antibiotic and disease fighting properties of the other herbs where they’re needed most.

Turmeric clears infection and reduces inflammation inside of the body. It blocks cancer from developing. Especially helpful for those with joint pain.

Apple Cider Vinegar (I use Braggs Organic ACV) There surely must be something really healthy in using apple cider vinegar, since The Father of Medicine, Hippocrates, used this vinegar around 400 B.C. for its health giving qualities. It is said that he had only two remedies: honey and apple cider vinegar.

All About Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is made from fresh ripe apples that are fermented and undergo a stringent process to create the final product. The vinegar contains a host of vitamins, beta-carotene, pectin and vital minerals such as potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, chlorine, sulphur, iron, and fluorine.

Pectin in the vinegar is a fiber which helps reduce bad cholesterol and helps in regulating blood pressure. The need for calcium supplements once you start growing older is very well known. This vinegar helps extract calcium from the fruits, vegetables and meat it is mixed with, helping in the process of maintaining strong bones. Potassium deficiency causes a variety of ailments including hair loss, weak finger nails, brittle teeth, sinusitis, and a permanently running nose. Apple cider vinegar is loaded with potassium. Studies have shown that potassium deficiency results in stunted growth. All these ailments can be avoided with the intake of apple cider vinegar. The potassium in this vinegar also helps in eliminating toxic waste from the body. The beta-carotene helps in countering damage caused by free radicals, helping one maintain firmer skin and a youthful appearance. Apple cider vinegar is good for those wanting to lose weight. It helps in breaking down fat which helps in natural weight reduction.

Apple cider vinegar contains malic acid which is very helpful in fighting fungal and bacterial infections. This acid dissolves uric acid deposits that form around joints, helping relieve joint pains. This dissolved uric acid is gradually eliminated from the body.

It is claimed that apple cider vinegar is helpful in ailments such as constipation, headaches, arthritis, weak bones, indigestion, high cholesterol, diarrhea, eczema, sore eyes, chronic fatigue, mild food poisoning, hair loss, high blood pressure, obesity, along with a host of many other ailments. No wonder then many know apple cider vinegar as the “Wonder Drug”.

Just thought you would like to know how powerful this tonic is!

Organic Super Cleansing Tonic was last modified: August 6th, 2013 by Earth Mama

Remember when you were a kid how you believed you could do anything? Kids have an inherent ability to learn, appreciate and apply new knowledge when it’s presented in a way that’s exciting and fun. The ancient medical system of Ayurveda is particularly easy for kids to understand because it is simple and based in nature. Most kids are totally grounded in their physical bodies. They can relate directly when an explanation of health also describes the natural world they see around them. When I had the opportunity to teach Ayurveda to my son’s class, I had no idea that I’d be creating such a riot of epiphanies.

The Five Elements Are As Basic As It Gets
Kids easily get that the universe and our bodies are composed of five elements. Maybe it’s not obvious at first that those elements are space, air, fire, water and earth. But once explained they can quickly shoot off endless examples of things in nature that are made of those elements. Even the qualities of those elements come without effort. I translate the Ayurvedic doshas of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha as Wind, Acid (easier than Bile), and Phlegm. Ask them to describe wind. They all know what that feels like. Ask them to describe Acid. They’ll rattle off lots of characteristics. Phlegm is an easy one. They’ve all had stuffy noses.

We spent a few minutes defining the qualities of the elements as well as their opposites. Because Ayurveda treatment is based on the principle of opposites, it was important to make this connection in the beginning. Later we would tie it all together.

Categorizing Foods As Windy, Acidic and Phlegmy
I asked the kids in my son’s class to give me examples of foods that fit each category according to the qualities we’d just described. Almost all of the answers were totally correct.

Tell me what foods are airy? I asked. Hollow bread, one child shouted. What foods are phelgmy? Ice cream!

Did I mention that this comes naturally to kids? It was so obvious that given the chance to understand an ancient, “esoteric” system, the kids latched right on. They were experts already.

Feeling The Elements In Their Bodies
It was very fun to hear how the kids responded when I asked them what it felt like when there was fire in their bodies. “Fever”, they shouted. How about wind, I asked. “Like a headache”, one boy yelled. It doesn’t take any time for kids to understand that the elements in nature outside of them are also inside of them. Phlegm is one substance with which most kids have a lot of personal experience. But kids are in Kapha stage of life anyway, so they are more prone to congestion.

Kids Already Understand What They Need To Be Well
Finally, we spent some time “guessing” how to stay healthy using Ayurvedic principles. We all fondly remarked how in the heat of summer, we enjoy watermelon, popsicles, and lemonade. And how when we get cold in winter we want more soup and hot foods. Although one precocious boy joked that he now knew how to get sick so he could stay home from school, all in all the kids realized that this very simple explanation of Ayurveda enabled them to better understand their bodies and also to make healthy choices.

Kids already know that they are a part of nature. They are closer to the source. They haven’t forgotten, like most adults who have to be reminded. It makes sense that kids will make healthy choices when they really understand why. What an incredible gift to give them. An affirmation that they are in control of their bodies and that they can be responsible for their own health. As parents we need to support this by providing wholesome food options. But imagine growing up understanding how we are all made up of the same five elements, yet unique in our own expression of them. How we each require different foods to be healthy, and how even as kids we can confidently say what those foods are.

How To Teach Kids About Ayurveda was last modified: August 17th, 2013 by Dr. Sharada Hall

We know that movement is important in our lives to stay healthy and to simply feel good about ourselves. Lack of movement can lead to many health problems. But how do we psyche ourselves up to keep moving our bodies daily? We so often compare exercise to “work.” But when we think of exercise differently – as movement, it can be fun. We can choose to do things we enjoy. How we think about something has a profound effect on whether we choose to do it and continue to do it. So let’s set our brains straight about movement and fitness.

Movement is an integral part of being healthy. Movement increases our energy levels, improves our sleeping patterns, helps us maintain a comfortable overall body weight, and improves our attitudes. Not to mention that movement helps decrease the risk of serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and high blood pressure. If we know all of that, why wouldn’t we want to move our bodies on a daily basis?

Delete Negative Thoughts And Self-Imposed Rules

No one said that we have to be confined to the walls of a gym to get physically fit. No one said we have to conform to anyone else’s standards of fitness. We do not have to spend an hour a day on a treadmill if that is not what we enjoy. Where do our ideas and thoughts about fitness come from? We can delete all of the negative self- talk we have concerning movement. No matter how we feel about fitness, there are ways to break past our negative thoughts.

Excuses Go First

We must stop making excuses for why we do not want to move our bodies before we can get anything done. No excuse is good enough for us not to take care of our bodies. Take a firm stand against excuses. We can find excuses until the end of time – or we can just do it and feel much better about ourselves and our bodies.

We create our own roadblocks by saying things like, “I hate exercise.” We limit ourselves with all of our excuses. Embrace yourself and your thoughts now. Consciously choose to enjoy the uniqueness that only you possess. What works for you is individual. Do not try to conform to anyone else’s ideas of what movement is. You will see things start to change.

Get Out Of Your Brain And Try It

When we find something that excites us and we do not use any of our excuses – suddenly a ray of hope comes into our lives. Movement becomes enjoyable – especially when we start to see and feel results. We live in an age of technology and many creative people are sharing information. Research online what others are doing if you cannot think of any kind of movement that excites you. Keep trying different things. If it does not feel good, try something else. But the main point is to get started – or restarted. Do not wait.

Do Not Strain Your Brain

Fitness and movement do not have to be difficult or boring at all. It can actually be fun. Once we have found a point to start at and think about how to integrate keeping fit with our daily activities, we can find that it is not as difficult as we first thought. In fact, we may already be doing some activities that count as being active and help keep us fit, such as:

Walking, cycling, swimming, housework (yes, that is right – doing housework can count as movement), or doing the Hokey Pokey. Okay, so we may not already be doing the Hokey Pokey every day, but it is a fun way to get some movement in our lives. Why not give it a try? You do not even need any equipment for it.

Many of our daily activities, such as grocery shopping (walking, lifting grocery bags) require us to use our major muscle groups and can be counted as healthy movement when we are doing them consciously and for at least 20 minutes a day. Sing and dance while you clean or do yardwork for your movement activity for the day. Simple and effective.

We can also add more challenging movement activities to our usual routine movement activities to break up any boredom. Adding cardio exercise is great for burning calories and for heart health. Activities like: Pilates, Zumba, yoga, aerobic dance can help us lose extra weight. We can go to fitness centers and participate with others, or we can use DVDs to ignite some spark into our stagnant movement routines. In class or on DVD, the instructors work to motivate and encourage us to move our bodies.

Give Your Brain Happy Thoughts

Be grateful for the ability to add healthy movement into your life. Consciously acknowledge your movement toward being healthy and fit. Tell yourself what a great job you are doing, even when you think you mess up. It is important to embrace all of us, not only our moments of perfection – but the moments when we are human too. If we start to think negative things about movement, we can stop and replace those thoughts with positive ones. Be happy to be healthy.

Find and repeat statements such as: I am grateful and happy that I am giving myself health and fitness. I enjoy my daily movement and give myself many new opportunities to care for myself and enjoy fitness. I have fun and get fit at the same time.

Using Our Brains To Get Fit was last modified: July 19th, 2013 by Dyan Diamond

Living healthy is a choice. Overall, it means many things. Being mentally, spiritually and physically healthy is all interconnected. Whenever we work on one area of our overall health, we positively affect the other areas also. The healthier we choose to live, the more we want healthy choices. It feels good for all of the aspects that make up who we are.

Focusing in on physical health, we can commit to moving our bodies on a consistent basis for optimal health. Moving our bodies can bring many positive changes into our lives. Here are some of the advantages that movement can provide us with:

Will Power and Confidence

Incorporating daily movement into our lives requires dedication. When we move our bodies even when we do not particularly feel like doing so, we can see our will power in action. Being healthy is a choice with we make and we back it up with our will power to get it done.

Confidence supports success. When we are confident in who we are and how we show up in the world, we can have the energy to accomplish what we set our hearts to. Daily movement can provide us with the confidence we need to go out and meet the world. When we use our will power to push through the times we do not really want to move our bodies, we grow our confidence in ourselves. We know we have our own best interests at heart and we know we will follow through on them. That gives us confidence.

Healthy habits

Being healthy and being successful is all about establishing healthy habits. We are what we repeatedly do. So when our self-care actions are healthy and we feed our bodies good food, and giving our bodies physical movement, we are building a healthy life for ourselves and establishing healthy habits.

When we begin to see the results of our healthy habits, that can be a turning point in our journey to total health and success. We can actually improve our own lives. We do have the power to be the best version of ourselves. We can use this motivation to help guide ourselves to accomplish all of our goals.

Better Living – eating less, taking vitamins, cutting down processed foods, working out and drinking plenty of water will keep you in the best physical and mental condition. This will make you think clearer, be more productive, active and healthy, live longer and happier and with all that, your chances of succeeding are better.

Mental Clarity

Moving our bodies helps us focus. Movement improves our concentration. We move our bodies and help our overall mental health. As we focus in on ourselves, we remember that the better we care for ourselves, the more we will have to give to others. Mental clarity is vital in success. Setting goals and meeting them is important in both physical movement and success. When we are moving our bodies, we are also expanding our minds and our spirits. We are feeding our entire being good energy.

Balance

We achieve health and success through a balanced approach to life. Short term solutions, such as fad diets, prevent us from dedicating ourselves to permanent lifestyle changes that help us maintain our total health. We balance out our lives when we focus on all aspects of healthy living. Movement, nutrition, hydration and appropriate restful sleep can be incorporated into our daily activities and this way we can build our overall health in a balanced and healthy way.

Our emotional health impacts our ability to attend to our health and fitness needs also. We can take care of ourselves emotionally by taking time to relax, choosing to be optimistic and surrounding ourselves with a support system of family and friends. We can choose to deal with our stress before it gets out of hand and ask for help when we need it to stay balanced.

Success

When we are successfully achieving our movement goals, we can understand that we can also meet other goals in our lives. Moving our bodies can be just the beginning of personal success. Moving our bodies does not have to be work. In fact, it is best when it is fun. Taking hikes with friends, dancing in our living rooms, taking classes at the local fitness center are all great ways to move our bodies to success.

Moving Toward Success was last modified: July 13th, 2013 by Dyan Diamond

Pregnancy can be such an amazing time of growing, nurturing, loving and change. More and more women seek to use natural, alternative time tested remedies for minor ailments. When it comes to using herbs during pregnancy, a bit of knowledge is essential. Some herbs are very beneficial to consume during pregnancy and others are best avoided till near the end or completion of gestation.

Some excellent herbs to use during pregnancy are:

Raspberry Leaf (Rubus species) – This is certainly one of the most common herbs used by pregnant women world-wide. Among its many properties, it is: Anti-abortive (it helps to prevent miscarriage), antiseptic (it aids in preventing infection by inhibiting micro-organisms), astringent (tightens and contracts tissue), hemostatic (helps to prevent excess bleeding during and after labor), nutritive (very rich in calcium, magnesium and iron, thus helping to prevent cramps and anemia), paturient (facilitates the birth process) and it is a tonic by promoting healthy tone in the kidneys, liver, uterus and mucous membranes.

Nettles (Urtica dioca) – High in iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium, this herb helps to nourish the mother and the fetus. The Vitamin K content of nettles helps to prevent hemorrhaging. This plant is also esteemed for improving kidney function and preventing hemorrhoids. When used by nursing mothers, it improves milk quality and quantity.

Ginger Root (Zingiber officinale) – This is one of the very best herbs to help alleviate morning sickness. Containing calcium, chromium, manganese and potassium.

Burdock Root (Arctium lappa) – Helps to prevent water retention in the mother and jaundice in the baby. Rich in chromium, iron, magnesium and zinc.

Yellow Dock Root (Rumex crispus) – This herb has long been favored for its ability to improve iron assimilation as well as build blood. It also helps to prevent jaundice in the baby.

Among the many ways of using herbs, I prefer to use teas during pregnancy. To make a cup of tea, bring a cup of water to a boil, remove from the heat. Add a heaping teaspoon of the herb combination. Cover, let sit for 10 minutes. Strain and enjoy. A spoonful of honey or a dash of apple juice may be added as a sweetener if desired. This keeps the botanicals in a gentle water extract dose. It is also a kind thing to take time out and enjoy the taste of pleasing plants.

Herbs to use with Caution:

As wonderful as herbs are, they can be powerful. Many herbs should be used with knowledge or avoided altogether. Some of these herbs have a purpose for use close to delivery time or during labor. Before using any of these herbs listed below, during pregnancy, it would be wise to consult with a midwife, herbalist or health professional skilled in the proper use of herbs, otherwise avoid them. Aloe Vera (Aloe vera) – can be too laxative.

This is only a partial list of herbs one is most likely to use that are available in North America.

Although it is not essential to totally avoid the following cooking herbs, their actual ingestion should be confined to moderate use. Basil, Caraway, Celery Seed, Cloves, Horseradish, Marjoram, Nutmeg, Parsley, Rosemary, Saffron, Sage, Savory, Tarragon, Thyme and Watercress. Their overuse could be too stimulating and irritating.

Do your best to make this blessed time of your life one of health, vitality and positive feelings. For more excellent information on herbs and pregnancy, please consult with the books: Healing Yourself During Pregnancy, by Joy Gardner and Wise Woman’s Herbal for the Childbearing Year, by Susun Weed.

Helpful Herbs and Herbs to Avoid During Pregnancy was last modified: July 3rd, 2013 by Brigitte Mars

Life is not without its share of stress. Even activities such as skiing down a mountain, aiming for higher goals or falling in love can take a toll on one’s nerves. All too often, during difficult times, people take worse care of themselves by either over or under eating, using more sugar, caffeine or alcohol. Though stress may often be unavoidable, we can come through most ordeals of our life-styles are balanced by faith, rest, good nutrition and exercise.

Stress actually depletes the body’s reserves of vitamins and minerals. Chronic muscle tension prevents good circulation and can leave a person more prone to illness. A stressful period in life should be an opportunity to take better care of oneself. During tense times, you owe it to yourself to choose nutritious foods. Small, frequent whole grain meals help to keep the blood sugar on an even keel as well as providing important B vitamins. Oatmeal and yogurt are two foods that are easy to digest and rich in calming calcium.

Nature’s floral pharmacy provides many herbs that nourish and support a frayed nervous system. Among them are:

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) – A general tonic that helps to relieve pain and muscle soreness. It is an excellent nervine.

Oatstraw (Avena sativa) – Rich in calcium, stress soothing, even used in clinics in Europe and Asia to help people deal with the stress of giving up addictive substances.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) – Strengthening and calming to the nerves. Its very aroma is a pleasure to take in.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) – Antispasmodic, sedative, has traditionally been used for depression and anxiety. The ancient physician, Avicenna said of lemon balm, “It causeth the mind and heart to be merrie.”

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) – It only makes cats excited. In humans, this member of the mint family, lowers central nervous system activity.

Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) – High in calcium and magnesium. This herb has been used throughout history for pain , fear, headaches, muscle spasms and even drug and alcohol withdrawal. This herb can help rebuild the nerve sheaths. Skullcap is considered to be one of the best tonics for the nervous system.

Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata) – Long used for worry and insomnia. Slows the breakdown of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine.

Kava kava (Piper methysticum) – This root has been used in Polynesia for insomnia and nervousness as well as to relax the muscles.

Lavender (Lavenda ul officinalis) – Very calming, its beautiful aroma has been used traditionally to “Left the spirits when feeling blue.”

Nutmeg (Myristica fragans) – Small amounts of this spice has been used throughout history for various nervous disorders.

Other Herbs that aide stress reduction:

Both of these plants may not have an appealing taste for most people and are best taken as a fresh plant extract or in freeze dried capsule form. Before using addictive sedative drugs, consider the beneficial botanicals that have a long history of safe usage. There are many combinations available in natural food stores that contain effective herbal combinations.

As a makeup artist, I’ve made a career out of working with both celebrities and people from all walks of life. It has been my job to help people look their best before appearances on TV, film, and the stage. As I worked to get my clients “camera-ready,” I began to notice a connection between who these individuals truly are and how that translated into their outer beauty.

I started to realize that the magical “it” factor we all search for has nothing to do with finding the right shade of foundation or being a size 2, and it went well beyond mere celebrity status. I felt that there was something more, something deeper, that beautiful people have, and I wanted to know how to get it.

And so my journey began. While I worked to help people look beautiful I searched even harder to find the secret to actually being beautiful. My hope was that if I could figure it out, I could combine that knowledge with my expertise as a stylist and makeup artist and bring this life-changing beauty to others.

One day as I arrived at the CBS station where I was working as the Head of Makeup, the morning-show producer caught me on my way in the door. She said that she wanted me to come up with beauty and style segments for the newscasts from time to time. And not only was I supposed to help create the segments, she also wanted me to host them! My dream had always been to work behind the scenes helping a few people feel beautiful and I was being offered an opportunity to get in front of the camera to reach thousands at once. I was ecstatic!

Of course, I couldn’t have known it then, but this assignment would be the answer to all of my beauty questions. Within weeks, I received my first assignment: find a woman who needed a makeover and create a segment around her. Instinctively I shied away from choosing someone who could just use a new haircut, I wanted to find a woman who needed a makeover on a much deeper level.

I started my search by heading to MacDill Air Force Base which was near the TV station. Many of the soldiers stationed there had just been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and the majority had left behind wives and families whose stress and worry was unimaginable. With their husbands risking their lives fighting for our freedom, these military wives worked to survive the daily grind of working and raising their children on their own.

Upon meeting them I knew instantly that they were the ones I wanted to work with and that I was going to do more than one makeover. Working with them was a way I could show my appreciation for their unselfish “call of duty.” Together with a team of stylists from my salon, we updated hairstyles, cosmetics, and even wardrobes. Everyone on my team worked diligently to lift the spirits of these special women.

Once the makeovers were complete, the women were videotaped, and those recordings were sent through a webcast to their husbands overseas. The entire experience was heartrending and beautiful. I cried along with them as the couples connected via cyberspace and I watched in admiration as these brave and exquisite women conveyed their love. I observed, I learned, and I understood.

What made the deepest impression on me was the realization that what makes us beautiful goes well beyond our exteriors. It is our passion and compassion, our love, laughter, tears, and sorrow, and how we combine it with a nurturing strength of spirit. Our beauty shines when we allow ourselves to revel in these qualities and share them with the world. It’s in these moments that we are all radiant and exquisite.

From that day on, I no longer defined beautiful as a hairstyle or a look. I viewed it as a woman glowing with love and living a life of purpose.

What is True Beauty? was last modified: June 10th, 2013 by Michelle Phillips

I am asked very often about doing yoga while pregnant. Many mamas-to-be either do not have money to pay for a class, do not have the time to go to a class, there are no classes offered where they live or just feel very private during their pregnancy and do not feel comfortable to go to a class. I have developed a sequence of poses (asanas) that I feel are beneficial to the pregnant body that you can do from the comfort of your home. I have added in parenthesis what part of the body each asana benefits. Yoga helped me get through all of my pregnancies helping to relieve aches in my body as well as brought calmness and strength to my mind. Every pregnant mama should be able to practice yoga!!

Here it is:

Lie on your left side on your yoga mat, option to put a pillow in between your knees, under your head.
Relax each muscle in your body and bring attention to your breath. As you breathe in think positive thoughts, love, gratitude, abundance, health, etc. and when you breathe out breathe out fear, hate anger, etc.

After you feel your body calm, come up to a sitting position, placing pillows to the side.

Butterfly (Baddha Konasana) ~ Place the soles of the feet together and knees falling out to either side…keep spine long…press the outer edges of feet together. (opens hips and groin) Option to lie all the way back to the ground. Or you can do this up against a wall.

Cow Pose ~Kneeling on hands and knees round back up, reaching spine as high as you can. Then on an exhale pull tummy to floor into Cat Pose.(helps baby move into right position and helps loosen pelvis for help in delivery)

Tabletop ~ Staying on all fours, make flat back. Inhale lift right arm and left leg, exhale down, inhale left arm and right leg x 3. Then right elbow to left knee then switch x 3

Tree Pose (Vrksasana)~ Lift right foot and place inside opposite thigh. Hands in prayer. Switch sides. (Helps strengthen thighs, calves, ankles and back and increases flexibility of hips and groin)

Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II) ~ Step one leg back and bend the front leg to a lunge position stretching your arms out to the sides point with strong fingers. Breathe…come up and pivet to other side bending front leg straight back leg. (Increases leg and arm strength. Improves balance and concentration and relieves backaches as well as self-confidence)

Triangle Pose (Trikonasana)~ Straighten both legs turning the front leg to a 90 degree angle and your back one slightly in. Arms stretched out actively. Bending from the hip joint over front leg rest hand on shin, ankle, or floor outside of leg and opposite arm up to ceiling. Stay in for a couple breaths and inhale come up. Switch to other side.

Standing Spread Leg Forward Bend (Uttihita Trikonasana)~ Face feet forward…make sure shoulders are up back and down and interlace hand behind back and bend (Strengthens and stretches inner and back legs and spine. Opens hips. Only go as far forward as you feel comfortable.)

Walk feet together, place hands on floor in front of legs, straight back and lower knees to floor then lower entire body to Cobra and then hips up into Downward Dog for a few breaths. Lift left leg up in air then down, then right leg opening up hips more

Legs up the Wall (Viparita Karani) ~ Go to wall lie on back with feet up against the wall. Remain for 5 to 10 breaths. Spread legs apart for a few breaths. Bring soles together hold for 5-10 breaths…whatever feels good. To come out bring knees into chest and roll to your side. (calms)

Pelvic tilt ~ lie on back with bent knees, soles of feet flat on floor, arms on floor straight, palms down. On exhale gently rock hips towards face. Your bottom will not actually leave the floor but you will feel your low back press into the floor. After a few seconds, inhale and return. Repeat 5-10 times
(strengthens and supports muscles in lower back and abdomen)

Reclined Pigeon pose ~ lie on back, bend you knees and place soles of feet on mat. Cross your right ankle over your left knee. Place your right arm between your legs and wrap your left arm around your left knee to grab hold of your knee. Draw your left knew towards your chest. Hold for 5 to 10 breaths. Switch sides. (stretches the thighs, groin, lower back, opens chest and shoulders)

Lie back on your left side with pillows in between your legs and go back to focusing on your breath. Connect with the your little baby tucked under your heart. Relax your entire body while focusing on your calm breathing.

Namaste!!

Pregnancy Yoga Sequence was last modified: June 26th, 2013 by Earth Mama

Babies and toddlers do not eat much food because their tummies are tiny. That is why it is important to feed them foods that are packed with nutrients. Superfoods are natural foods that are high in nutrients and antioxidants packed with health giving properties. They are easily digestible and keep the body and mind healthy and working great. These 10 superfoods are essential for babies’ and toddlers’ growing bodies.

1. Avocado
Avocados are a great first food for your baby. They are a perfect consistency and they contain an abundance of nutrients including high levels of Omega-3s. You can simply slice open an avocado and feed it straight into your little one’s mouth. If you would like a smoother consistency, add a little breast milk or substitute and mash.

2. Beans
Beans are super nutritious. They are very high in antioxidants containing 10 times the amount of antioxidants as oranges. They are high in fiber, which prevents your baby from becoming constipated. They are high in iron, protein and vitamin B. They should be soaked overnight before preparing to decrease cooking time.

3. Blueberries
Blueberries are super nutritious. They are higher in antioxidants than any other fresh fruit and very beneficial to your baby’s brain, urinary and nervous systems as well as their heart and eyes. They are also high in fiber, and vitamins A and C.

4. Coconut
Coconuts contain medium chain fatty acids which have significant health benefits and are similar to the ones found in human breast milk. They help boost the immune system, improve digestion, and balance the blood sugar.

5. Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are higher in antioxidants than blueberries and have more calcium than whole milk. They are very high in Omega-3s, magnesium, fiber, iron, potassium, and protein.

6. Dark leafy greens
These leafy greens are rich in antioxidants and high in iron and folate. They are a top superfood because they contain large amounts of vitamins C, and K as well as calcium. Vitamin K and calcium are great bone-builders.

7. Eggs (cage-free/organic)
Eggs are full of high quality nutrients for your baby. They contain choline, a B-vitamin that plays an important role in the development and function of the baby’s brain. Eggs are full of protein and Omega-3s as well as vitamin D, folate, the antioxidant lutein and many minerals such as zinc, iron, and selenium, a great immune booster.

8. Oats
Oats are a good source of soluble and insoluble fiber and they are also rich in phytochemicals, vitamin E, zinc, iron, magnesium and selenium. Oats are a good source of protein and a great way to start the morning. Use plain oats and add your own toppings such as nuts, fruit or a drizzle of agave nectar.

9. Quinoa
Quinoa is a complete protein making it perfect for vegetarian babies, it is high in lysine, an amino acid important for tissue growth and repair. Quinoa has a good amount of fiber and is high in nutrients such as manganese, magnesium and has a very high iron content. Quinoa is a gluten free grain and is an alternative to whole grain rice in many baby food recipes.

10. Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are among the most nutritious vegetables available. They are rich in phyto-nutrients and high in vitamins A and C. They have a naturally sweet flavor and creamy texture making these vegetables appealing to babies and toddlers.

Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding

(6 + months)

Ingredients:

1 cup coconut milk or 1 cup unsweetened almond milk

1 cup pumpkin puree

2 Teaspoons vanilla

1 Teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 Teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 Teaspoon ground ginger

A pinch of ground clove

5 medjool dates, pits removed

3 Tablespoons chia seeds

Directions:
1. Puree everything but the chia seeds in a blender
until smooth, combined and thick. You may still see
a few little bits of the dates, that‛s OK.

2. Pour the mixture into a glass bowl or a mason jar,
stir in the chia seeds. Make sure to stir well to
combine.

3. Cover the bowl or put the lid on the jar. Keep in
the refrigerator overnight or for at least 4 hours.

4. Spoon or pour into bowls, top with a sprinkle of
cinnamon and maybe even some fresh whipped
coconut cream, if you wish.

Spring is Here and so are the Bugs and the Sun ! I like to garden in the Spring, but I really don’t like dealing with those annoying flies and too much sun. This sunblock I developed myself, is all natural, made with the finest ingredients and is actually beneficial to your skin. I like to call this my miracle sunblock 🙂 The Sunblock has about an SPF 24-30 and is semi waterproof too.Ingredients:

1/2 cup almond oil (or combo with another oil)

1/2 cup Coconut Oil

1/4 cup Beeswax (add less if you want it creamier)

2 Tablespoons Zinc Oxide

2 Tablespoons of Neem Powder

2 T Jojoba Oil

20 drops of Essential Oil (Optional)

NOTE: avoid using citrus oils, such as bergamot, orange, lemon or lime. They may cause unpleasant skin reactions when exposed to the sun. They also reduce a sunscreen’s effectiveness.

The Beeswax makes it semi waterproof but it should be reapplied after exposure to water.

Directions:

1. Put all ingredients except the Zinc Oxide and Neem Powder in a glass jar.

2. Place the glass jar in a pot of water on a stove and bring to a boil.

3. Let the wax melt and the oils heat up.

4. Once the wax has melted, carefully remove from the boiling water

5. Add the Zinc Oxide and Neem Powder and stir, and then pour into storage container and let cool before applying.

***

Commercial Bug Repellant is so incredibly toxic with dangerous chemicals such as DEET. As an Earth Mama I want to make sure that my children only have the most natural ingredients on their skin. While living in Costa Rica, I had to figure out how to protect my family from the overwhelming amounts of bugs. During the day I would put on the Bug Repellant Sunscreen which I developed specifically for the hot sun and the abundance of bugs. I found it would protect us for 4 plus hours. However, after a day in the sun, in and out of the ocean and a shower to clean it all off, we needed something for the evenings, to protect us from biting bugs while we were sleeping.

This recipe can be made very simply with your choice of essential oil/s and a ‘carrier’ oil or alcohol. Rub or spray the natural insect repellent onto skin or clothing, using care to avoid the sensitive eye area. You’ll need to re-apply after a few hours or when you feel like the bugs are biting. Unused natural insect repellent may be stored in a dark bottle, away from heat or sunlight. If you wish, you may combine the oil with aloe vera gel to change the consistency to more of a spreadable lotion.

As a busy physician who uses both cell phones and computers, I make sure I’m protected against electro stress, which is the damaging effect of electromagnetic radiation. Let me explain…

Fourteen years ago in Australia I was presented with evidence of their damaging effects, (and maybe I’m exaggerating), but the issue seemed like a time bomb. Everyone was denying it in the same way cigarette manufacturers did in the 70s. However, I really believe that cell phone radiation is something we are going to hear more and more about, along with the side effects of electromagnetic emissions from Wi-Fi and computers.

“I’m tired all the time. I do all the right things, exercise and eat well…. all these blood tests in my recent medical were normal, however it doesn’t change the way I feel – exhausted!”

This is the mantra I hear day in day out from increasing numbers of patients in my family practice.

So, you can imagine how interested I was when recent WHO (World Health Organisation) recommendations showed that cell phones are a class B carcinogen, similar to lead poisoning. Cancer is caused by a change in our cells’ DNA (I will talk more on this later).

In this 2011 landmark study by The International Agency for Research on Cancer, there was a 40% higher risk of ‘glioma’ brain cancer among people who had been using the phones for at least 30 minutes per day for ten years.

Tip of the iceberg:

Patients’ symptoms of cell phone radiation damage can be difficult to recognize because of their vague nature, such as tiredness, dizziness, lack of concentration, chronic fatigue, memory problems, or simply feeling a little jaded with life. It’s only human nature to make assumptions, and so most of my patients will blame pollution, insomnia, stress and long working hours, whilst we may (literally!) be sleeping with the real culprit.

Understanding EM Radiation

Electromagnetic radiation is part of the light spectrum. It’s not specific to cell phone radiation, as it also comes from microwaves and X-rays, known to be harmful to human tissue. The difference between light radiation which can damage our health and those we’re used to, such as the colour spectrum, which doesn’t, is in the speed, or frequency.Please read the full article here.

Connection to our Biology

It turns out that our whole body is run by Electromagnetic Energy or, as we know it ‘Light’.

Our whole neurological works on electrical conductivity, relaying messages like electrical wires. When these wires loose their insulating sheath made of fatty myelin (as in cases of Multiple Sclerosis) the nerve messages just don’t get through. ‘Brain waves’ are Gamma waves. Every cell in our body relies on tiny electrical pulses for absorption of nutrients and proper functioning.

DNA Energy

Cutting edge research has shown that our DNA, at the very core of every cell in our body, and powerhouses of cellular energy, also radiate light, or EM radiation. Many thousands of photons per second will each carry megabytes of information that radiate through our tissues, informing and communicating in the body. This makes sense when you think of their function as the body’s blueprint, setting the tone for the myriad of tissue, enzymatic, endocrine and neural functions.

The big issue however is; the frequency of DNA light radiation is dangerously near that of mobile bandwidth.

It’s appearing more and more likely that our finely tuned biological EM systems may be adversely affected by interference from foreign sources of EM radiation.

Solution?

There are numerous commercial products out there and I’m sure many are great. However, as a doctor I can only recommend what I know works, sof you want to make a one off purchase of something, try the ‘Electrodot’, a small product, which sticks to phones and computers. In studies of these electrodots, the brain’s EM energy is seen to be protected by the dot. Similarly, the ‘before and after’ photos show how our cells themselves are protected.

Research has shown these tiny dots actually harmonize our natural frequency with that of the phone so that it doesn’t deplete our energy. Think about protecting yourself, after all, we all want more energy!

Unglue your gut. Unflannel your channels. After the long winter every cell in your body is begging for you to press the reset button. Spring is the season of burning the fat and turning on the inner a.c. before summer. Don’t miss out on nature’s season of the reset button … and you’ll look good for those summer short shorts. Join the next yogidetox.

Move it or Lose it

Spring is the easiest season to up your exercise. It’s Kapha season, which means your body is strong and ready for endurance. Turn up your workout. Play your edge. Put some hustle in your bustle.

Prioritize Prana Pathways

Our nadis (subtle and not so subtle energy channels) get clogged. Drain-o your nadis each morning with deep nasal breathing. If you can’t inhale through your nose – try to exhale a “humming” sound. The Humming Exhale breaks up the junk and helps your blood take up oxygen.

Allergies, Sinus + Spring Cold Relief

If you or your posse have more issues as the grass grows greener do this: Make a hot drink to clear mucus with ginger juice, lemon juice, cayenne, hot water and raw honey.

Get Out

Get in the habit of having an early dinner and then playing outside. Take a walk. Go for a bike ride. Weed your garden. Just get out. And don’t make the mistake of being out and then eating late, or you’ll burn out before summer’s end.

Ayurveda – Food for Spring

Start Sprouting

Sprouts have more protein per pound than lean meat and bucket loads more absorbable and diverse nutrients. Talk about holy cow. Sprouting takes 2 minutes a day. Buy your seeds and sprouter and get going. Don’t waste plastic. Sprout your own. Aim for 1 cup per adult per day.

Eat Green

Chlorophyll is the color of spring. It’s natural for primates, like yourself, to eat green 3 x a day, especially in Spring. Use green smoothies or juices, salads, cooked greens and living soups.

Drink Your Dandelions

Wild weeds, including our invasive friends like Dandelion + Thistle are superfoods. Both with detox your liver, blood and fat, while replacing long lost minerals from your caffeine addiction. Plus they’re free once you stop spraying your yard. Add young dandelions or thistle to make your fruit smoothies green.

Get Down and Dirt-y

You’re at the start of the active food growing season. If you’ve been eating green you’ve noticed you spend more on your greens and sprouts than anything else. Grow your own. Upgrade your outside with grow boxes or hoop houses. Getting your hands in the dirt is the quickest way to ground yourself and discharge EMF’s. If you’re already a gardener start to permaculture your place.

by Cate Stillman

Cate Stillman is the author of Yogahealer. Cate teaches a practical, cutting-edge approach to Ayurveda for those already ready to commit to their health evolution. http://www.yogahealer.com

Ayurveda for Spring Guidelines was last modified: April 7th, 2013 by What Does YOUR VividLife Look Like?

At present, our culture is overly obsessive about germs, cleanliness, and hygiene. Parents are constantly washing their children’s hands, using antibacterial soap, alcohol tinged wipes or changing them the second they have dirt on their clothes. I don’t know about you, but when I was a child I liked to make mud pies, walk around barefoot and climb any tree I could find. Instinctively I craved to immerse myself in the natural environment. When I had my own children I reminded myself of this as they shoveled sand into their mouths at the beach or tasted a pebble or a leaf. It is natural for children to be as close to nature as possible. Well, now the research is out about whether there is a connection between getting dirty and a strong immune system and they have found that this modern obsession with germs and cleanliness might be leading to the rise in allergies, asthma and inflammatory bowel disease. (1)

What is it About a Child’s Attraction to Dirt?

According to Mary Ruebush PhD, author of Why Dirt is Good: 5 Ways to Make Germs Your Friends, the attraction is based on millions of years of evolution. Just like any other muscle in our body, the immune system needs to be exercised in order to fully develop and become strong enough to resist illness and disease. Eating dirt as a child turns out to be the ideal training to build your immune system’s overall fitness. “What a child is doing when he puts things in his mouth is allowing his immune response to explore his environment,” Mary Ruebush wrote “Not only does this allow for ‘practice’ of immune responses, which will be necessary for protection, but it also plays a critical role in teaching the immature immune response what is best ignored.” Children who grow up on farms and are exposed to all sorts of bugs, worms and natural elements have demonstrably less allergies and autoimmune problems than urban children who spend most of their time indoors. Playing outside barefoot every now and again and digging in the dirt more often would do wonders for the health of today’s youngsters.

Our Natural Instinct is to Love Dirt

New research says that it is possible that children are ‘too’ clean and would be better off sticking to their natural instincts There was a study done in 2012, where researchers tested what would happen to mice if they were bred to lack stomach bacteria and how it would effect their immune system. It found that exposure early in life to microbes helped to train certain immune cells to resist disease later in life. Exposure to those same microbes as an adult did not have the same effect. The immune cells affected were generally those in the lungs and colon due to hyperactivity in T cells. This is similar to that found in humans with asthma. (2) The most important point from the research is the idea that during the early years of life their are some crucial biological developments that happen which cannot be recreated later on in life and building a strong immune system is one of them. (3)

Playing in Dirt Builds a Strong Immune

By no means am I suggesting that you feed your child spoonfuls of dirt, I am rather letting you know that you can stop worrying and place your energy elsewhere. People are so worried about their children catching a cold or flu that they are obsessively focused on whether their child is clean and germ-free. However, this seems to be against the natural rhythm of life. Science has proven that dirt is beneficial to a child’s life. Children love dirt because they instinctively know it is good for them in order to grow up having strong immune systems. We can now relax and trust that our children will actually be healthier the dirtier they get. Take a deep breath and enjoy watching the joy your child has playing in dirt while knowing that they are building their intuitive side and a strong immune system.

Twenty years ago during a particularly stressful period of work, I began taking a yoga class as a non-pharmacologic antidote. I was running a center for reproduction and women’s health, working 24/7 and needed a way to relax. I had the good fortune to enroll with a yogini named Hari Khar Khalsa, and I took classes from her for a period of time. One day after class I asked her if she would be interested in teaching a yoga class to my patients to lower their stress. We began a series of yoga classes with the first hour consisting of us sitting on mats on the floor with my patients and discussing a health topic. I called them “Mat Chats.” The second hour was devoted to yoga with a focus on the medical topic we had just covered.

Over time, I not only received the benefit of lowering my own stress level through yoga, but also the benefit of Hari’s friendship and ultimately collaboration on A Woman’s Book of Yoga, a book that combines Eastern and Western medicine to help women at different stages of their lives. Since that time, I’ve suggested yoga to many of my patients. One group that I find it particularly useful for is women in and around menopause. They often tell me it helps them deal with their symptoms. Because many women either can’t or won’t take hormone therapy, finding an effective alternative is really important.

I was delighted to discover that the February 2012 issue of the journal Menopause, finally proves yoga reduces menopause symptoms, hot flashes and improves sleep. This is the first study to do so. The article studied women between the ages of 50 and 65 with no yoga experience and who were not taking hormones or antidepressants. The study lasted 4 months and included two one-hour yoga sessions per week, which combined stretching exercises and breathing techniques. Compared to a group of women who only did stretching, the yoga group improved their sleep and their mental health, and also their menopausal symptoms. The researchers believe this is because yoga increases levels of the brain hormone -aminobutyric acid, which calms the brain. Yoga also seems to increase levels of the sleep inducing hormone melatonin.

Another benefit of yoga is that it amplifies the parasympathetic tone in the body, which aids relaxation and reduces the sympathetic tone – the so-called fight or flight hormones. This may be an important part of why sleep patterns improve and hot flashes are reduced. Most women observe that when they are stressed, their hot flashes increase.

As more and more women question whether or not to take HRT, and women with breast cancer are typically not able to take HRT, finally getting proof that an alternative approach reduces symptoms of menopause, lowers hot flashes and improves sleep is a great thing. So if you are looking for an alternative to HRT, or even if you are taking HRT and just want to help your insomnia, improve your mental health and your menopausal symptoms, grab your yoga mat, enroll in a yoga class with a good instructor, practice several times per week, and sleep tight. Namaste.

By any standards, I was a fat child. So much so that at 29 months old, I was dubbed Mighty Mite by a front page article in the Galveston Daily News. They ran the article because I was the fattest kid my age in all of Galveston County. People at the time thought “a fat baby is a healthy baby.” Now we know a fat baby often is not a healthy baby and much more likely to be a fat and unhealthy adult. In 2012, 1 in 3 children are obese. Mission Readiness, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization run by retired military leaders dedicated to investing in America’s youth, discovered that today, 27% of 17- to 24-year-olds, some 9 million, are too fat to…

Spring is nature’s way of saying, “Let’s party!” -Robin Williams This week ushers in the official start of Spring! Yes, we all know winter is invaluable in the way it forces us into that place of deep inward reflection where…blah, blah, blah. Ok, I don’t know about you, but I’ve had enough ruminating…I’m ready to kick winter’s butt to the door and start seizing the revitalizing energy of SPRING!

READ: Yoga ~ A Menopause Alternative to HRT by Mache Seibel M.D. was last modified: March 22nd, 2012 by Mache Seibel MD

When it comes to cleansing, I have tried just about everything under the sun…I’ve done the “Master Cleanse” where you take only lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper in water …I’ve tried countless boxed cleanses with herbal laxative formulas that left me running for the washroom…I’ve tried homeopathic formulas, cleansing teas and juice fasts. I’ve tried just about everything that was available in my local health food store, all in the pursuit of the perfect cleanse that would rid my body of toxins and leave me feeling rejuvenated,…Detox Using Yoga and Ayurveda

I became very interested in detoxing after I was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) about 12 weeks ago. My IBS suddenly developed after a car accident that left me with neck and back pain. Was it the stress of the accident, damage to spinal nerve flow or the onset of Crohn’s disease? Or perhaps a food allergy, gluten intolerance, infection or possibly an intestinal parasite?,…

READ: Ancient Science for Modern Women by Jaisri M. Lambert was last modified: February 2nd, 2012 by VividLife Editorial

According to Dr. Andrew Weil, there’s a lot we can do to stay healthy as we age. The Harvard M.D. is a best-selling author and director of the program of integrative medicine at the University of Arizona. In his new book, Dr. Weil shares his secrets for living better longer. It’s called Healthy Aging: A Lifelong Guide to your Physical and Spiritual Well-Being.

Dr. Jenn Royster, D.DIV., is an Intuitive Spiritual Teacher, Energy Healer, Inspirational
Writer and Radio Show Host. She holds various degrees and certifications including a Doctor of
Divinity, Ordained Spiritual Minister, M.S. in Metaphysics, and Reiki Master.

Her Spiritual gifts made themselves known at an early age and never shut down. She brings
these gifts to the world to share, educate and help others. Her focus is healing from within and
guiding others to find their true path and happiness in life.

She is a contributing writer for Vividlife.me, maintains a Natural Health and Spirituality
Blog, where she reviews book releases for Hay House, Inc. and Sounds True Inc.

She is the founding owner of The BodyZone Natural Wellness Center in Virginia Beach,
VA., and offers her specialties to clients by private appointment in The BodyZone office or by
telephone around the world.

Jenn’s vision was to create a natural wellness center that provided healing for all of our bodies
(physical body, mental body, soul body and energy body). The BodyZone offers Energy
Medicine/Healing, Spiritual Guidance/Reads, Hypnosis and Therapeutic Massage, creating one
of the most sought after Natural Health and Spirituality Centers.

“We are all connected, yet we are unique expressions, with gifts to share with the world.”

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Shayne Traviss

Sometime's growth involves digging up the dirt and planting anew...
After over 20 years of marketing, promoting and producing others I've decided to open a new chapter in my life.
If you long to go higher, live a life 'all in' join me as I dive in deep sharing my life experiences, travels and inspirations for living a VividLife.

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About VividLife.me

Founded by Shayne Traviss formerly VividLife.me was an online resource for personal growth through over 10,000 blogs, audio conversations and videos, from thought leaders, best-selling authors and wellness experts from around the globe. VividLife.me provided engaging conversations on consciousness and human potential with Arianna Huffington, Jane Fonda and Alanis Morrissette, wisdom packed blogs from spiritual Icons Iyanla Vanzant and Ram Dass, Green Tips from David Suzuki’s Queen of Green, Advice from Award Winning Parenting and Relationships Experts, Recipes from Vegetarian, Vegan, Raw Chef’s and more… and reached and inspired over 3 million people around the globe.
However sometime's growth involves digging up the dirt and planting anew...
And after over 20 years of marketing, promoting and producing others Shayne Traviss decided to open a new chapter in his life.
If you long to go higher, live a life 'all in' join him as he dives in deep sharing his life experiences, travels and inspirations for living a VividLife.